Mechanism for forming gusset folds in container wrappers

ABSTRACT

Mechanism for forming gusset folds in container wrappers which are formed about a moving group of containers. The gusset folds are formed in gusset panels and are employed to stabilize the position of the endmost containers of the wrapped group, and are formed as the wrapper blank moving with the group is wrapped therearound. The mechanism includes a cam and cam follower mechanism so configured that the tip of the folding member at all times engages a fold line of the gusset panel of the wrapper blank, irrespective of the movement of the gusset panel during the folding of same.

United States Patent Standley MECHANISM FOR FORMING GUSSET FOLDS IN CONTAINER WRAPPERS Inventor: Wendell E. Standley, Lake Forest,

Assignee: Container Corporation of America,

Chicago, Ill.

Filed: Aug. 25, 1971 Appl. No.: 174,984

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 2,232, Jan. 12, 1970, abandoned.

US. Cl. ..53/48 Int. Cl. ..B65b 11/08, B65b 21/24 Field of Search ..53/48, 49, 209

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS McGihon .53/48 X [451 Oct. 31, 1972 3,516,219 6/1970 Nigrelli et al. ..53/48 Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Neil Abrams Attorney Richard W. Carpenter [5 7] ABSTRACT Mechanism for forming gusset folds in container wrappers which are formed about a moving group of containers. The gusset folds are formed in gusset panels and are employed to stabilize the position of the endmost containers of the wrapped group, and are formed as the wrapper blank moving with the group is wrapped therearound. The mechanism includes a cam and cam follower mechanism so configured that the tip of the folding member at all times engages a fold line of the gusset panel of the wrapper blank, irrespective of the movement of the gusset panel during the folding of same.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PNENTEDncm 1912 3.701. 231

sum 1 or 5 INVENTOR WENDELL E. STANDLEY BY i W ATTORNEY PKTENTED 3,701,231

sum 2 OF 5 .l INVENTOR 36 49 WENDELL E. STANDLEY BY Wan MM I ATTO RNFYS P'A'TENTEDHBIBI I 72 3.701. 231

SHEET 3 0F 5 V lNVE-NTOR WEN DELL E. -STANDLEY BY W, ATTORNEYS PKTENTEIJ MIT 31 I972 SHEET 0F 5 Val. I! 4 4 PLITIII INVENTOR WENDELL E. STANDLEY mJZJ ATTORNEYS PA'TENTEDHBI 31 3.701. 231

SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR WENDELL E. STANDLEY BY W/ ZTORNEYS MECHANISM FOR FORMING GUSSET FOLDS IN CONTAINER WRAPPERS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 2,232 filed Jan. 12, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mechanism for forming a wrapper blank about a group of containers, wrappers of the general type being exemplified in Wolowicz US. Pat. No. 3,168,968 and Fielding U.S. Pat. No. RE 24,667. In both of these patents a container group is moved into position over a moving wrapper blank, and the latter is formed around the container group while the two move together. The patents referred to show gusset panels which are folded into position upon the forming of the wrapper, so as to hold the endmost container in position when the wrapper is completely formed about the container group.

The folding of the gusset panels is accomplished by gusset engaging fingers which move in a path to engage the gusset panels at both the leading and trailing ends of the wrapper being formed about the moving container group. In the mechanism of the prior art it has been difficult to form and fold the end gusset panels because of the difficulty of providing proper movement to the gusset fold forming mechanism. It is to the provision of structure for forming the gusset folds that this invention is particularly directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in structure for completing the formation of a wrapper having gusset folds at each end thereof for maintaining an end article of a container group in position. The structure according to the present invention consists of gusset folding fingers movable in a path so as to engage gusset panels in such a fashion that the tips of the fingers engage a fold line of the gusset panel at all times during the folding thereof.

The structure according to the present invention comprehends the aforesaid gusset panel folding fingers which are caused to have at the ends thereof components of motion causing the same to engage gusset fold lines at all times during the folding of the gusset panel. The invention structure includes gusset forming fingers which have motion relative to the wrapper being formed, both at the leading and trailing ends thereof, such relative motion being achieved by cam and follower structures arranged to give the aforesaid motion to the gusset fold forming fingers.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of that portion of a wrapping machine having the improvements according to the present invention embodied therein;

5 mation of the wrapper about a group of containers;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a cut and scored a FIG. 7 is a plan view of the gusset fold forming mechanism of FIG. 1, certain parts thereof being broken away;

FIG. 8 is a detailed plan view of the gusset fold forming fingers of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken along line l0 10 of FIG. 8 showing details of a cam follower for controlling the movement of a gusset fold forming finger.

The improved apparatus according to the present invention is denoted generally by the reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1, and includes laterally spaced frame members 21 extending longitudinally thereof. Only that portion of a machine for wrapping a group of containers as is necessary for the description of the gusset forming mechanism is shown. Details of mechanism for completing a wrapper as seen in the aforesaid patents are not important to the invention therein.

The machine seen in FIG. 1 includes structure 22 for feeding a wrapper formed from a cut and scored blank B of sheet material such as paperboard or the like. Feed mechanism 22 is adapted to feed a discrete wrapper blank B on to a conveying reach 23 of an endless flight conveyor 24 extending longitudinally of machine 20. Endless flight conveyor 24 is trained about a pair of tail sprockets, not shown, mounted on a tail shaft 26 extending between the two side frames 21. A pair of head sprockets for driving the endless conveyor 24 is not shown, and is mounted at the delivery end of the machine 20, and needs no description in detail. As seen in FIG. 6, the endless flight conveyor 24 includes a pair of sprocket chains 27 adapted to be trained about the aforesaid sprockets. Chains 27 support transversely extending flights 28. Chains 27 are supported by longitudinal rails 27A and are held down by longitudinal rails 27B mounted on spacer bars 29 that are fastened to longitudinal frame members 31 that flank the sides of chains 27.

Endless flight conveyor 24 is adapted to transport a series of container blanks B seen in FIG. 2, which are deposited singly by feed mechanism 22 between spacer posts 32 extending upward at regular intervals from one of the flights 28 of the conveyor 24.

The blank B seen in FIG. 2 includes a bast panel 33 having side panels 34 foldably connected thereto along score lines 36. A pair of separating tabs 37 for containers C are adapted to be erected at right angles to the base panel 33 and are defined by cut lines 38 and fold lines 39. A gusset panel 41 is located between each end of the side panel 34 and a correlative end of the base panel 33, and is defined by gusset panel sections 42, 43, and 44.

Panel portion 42 is foldable with respect to panel portion 43 along a continuation of fold line 36, and panel 43 is foldable with respect to panel portion 44 along a fold line 47, the latter extending from the edge of the panel portions 43 and 44 to the intersection of fold line 46 with fold line 36.

Panel portion 44 is defined by a cut line 48 separating the same in part from the side panel 34, and by a continuation of fold line 46. An extension 49 from the base panel 43 extends beyond the end of the wrapper B when formed as seen in FIG. 3 to protect the endmost of the containers C. As seen in FIG. 3, the wrapper B is adapted to enclose a group of containers C, each container being separated by the tabs 37 folded up from the base panel 33. According to the present invention, the gusset panel 41 is folded in such a fashion as to hold the endmost of the containers C in position. Panel portion 44 is accordingly folded against the inner side of side panels 34.

The blank seen in FIG. 2 is adapted to be fed by the feed mechanism 22 to a position between the spacer posts 32, the bottom panel 33 thereof lying on the flights of the conveying reach 23 with the long axis extending in the direction of conveyor 23.

I Structure is provided for moving bottle groups to be confined within the blank B into position between the spacer posts 32 and atop the blank B moving with the conveyor 23. To this end a conveyor 50 flanks the machine and provides a path of movement for a line of containers C. These are moved by grouping wheels 51 and 52, shown schematically and synchronized in their rotation with the movement of the conveyor 24. A guide rail 53 forming part of the grouping wheels 51 and 52 guides the containers, three in number in this case, between the spacer posts 32.

The container group then moves with its wrapper B along the conveyor 24 to a position where the side panels 34 of the wrapper B are engaged to tilt the same upward. A pair of rotating plows 54 fastened on a shaft 56 timed in its rotation with the movement of the conveyor 24 initially forms the wrapper B about the containers C as seen more particularly in'FlG. 6. The plows 54 are in the form of flat discs having an essentially elliptical shape, so that during the rotation thereof the side panels 34 are folded with respect to the base panel 33.

Following such initial folding of the side panels 34 the panelsare additionally folded by a pair of plows 57 flanking the conveyor 24 to complete the erection thereof. Concomitant with such operation of the plows 57, a gusset forming mechanism referred to generally by the reference number 60 comes into operation to form the gusset folds at the endmost of the containers C seen in FIG. 3 The gusset forming mechanism 60 is positioned beneath the plows 57.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9 of the drawings, gusset forming mechanism 60 comprises a pair of stationary cams 61 and 62 formed as grooves in a stationary cam plate 63 secured by counter-sunk screws 64 to end support 66 which in turn are secured by counter-sunk screws 67 to laterally spaced angle frames 68. Plow 57 is held in position atop cam plate 63 by cap screws 55 tapped thereinto.

Each of the cams 61 and 62 is in the form of a groove formed on the underside of cam plate 63. Cam groove 62 cooperates with roller followers 69A and 698 each mounted on a follower block 71 arranged to have sliding lateral movement, as indicated by the arrows thereon in FIG. 9, each follower block 71 upon a pair of spaced slide rods 77 clamped in position at their ends to chain links 78 by means of clamping assembles 79. Each cam groove 61 cooperates with roller followers A and 703 each mounted on a folding finger 99 each one of which is pivotally mounted on each follower block 71 by means of a shouldered stud 101.

Chain links 78 are parts of a pair of endless sprocket chains 81 which are trained about laterally spaced head sprockets 82 made fast on a head shaft 83 supported in spaced frames 68 supporting the can plate 63. Sprocket chains 81 are also trained about laterally spaced tail sprockets 86 fast on a tail shaft 87 supported at its ends by suitable bearing means in the spaced frames 68.

Structure is provided for guiding the follower blocks 71 and the followers 69A and 69B mounted thereon to maintain the proper orientation of followers 69A and 69B while moving with respect to the sprockets 82 and 86 and along the return reach thereof when the followers 69A and 69B are not in engagement with the stationary earns 62. To this end spaced frame members 68 have the ends thereof spanned by members 88 supporting essentially semi-circular guides 89. These are held in position to the members 88 by holding screws 91 and they are spaced from each other so as to provide continuations of the cam grooves 62. A similar arrangement is used to provide a continuation of cam groove 61 for controlling followers 70A and 703.

The followers 69A' and 69B moving with follower blocks 71 along the return reach of sprocket chains 81 are guided in grooves 93 defined by spaced rails 94 supported on their ends by cross members 96. Cap screws 97 hold the rails 94 to the cross members 96, and the latter are supported at their ends by brackets 98 depending from the spaced frames 68. The grooves 93 are co-extensive with the grooves defined by the semi-circular guides 89. Cam followers 70A and 70B are guided in a similar fashion in grooves 92 running along side and parallel to grooves 93.

It should be noted at this point that the gusset forming mechanism 60 thusfar described consists of two portions; each being symmetrical about the longitudinal center line of the machine20. Each gusset forming mechanism acts on the correlative side of a wrapper blank B to form the gusset folds thereof.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 8 and 10, the slider blocks 71 each have the follower 69A and 69B extending upward therefrom to cooperate with cam groove 62 to give lateral movement to block 71 along the slide rods 77. The latter supports a gusset fold forming arm 99 pivoted thereto at 101. Each of the arms 99 has a follower 70A and 70B supported thereon, it cooperating with cam groove 61 to give rocking movement thereto with respect to slider block 71.

The distal end of each arm 99 terminates in a finger 102 adapted at all times to engage the fold line 47 of blank B during its forming about the container group.

The profile of the two cam groups 61 and 62 is such as to give proper components of motion to the gusset forming finger 102 irrespective of whether it acts upon the trailing end of the blank B or the leading end thereof.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 the gusset forming mechanism is shown as operating upon the leading and trailing ends of a wrapper B. The gusset forming fingers 102 are identical for either end of wrapper B, except for the hand of such fingers. The wrappers B and the containers C enclosed therewithin are spaced by close distances, so that the gusset forming fingers are arranged in pairs, the spacing between the pairs being determined by the spacing of blanks B.

The contour of the cams 61 and 62 is such that the fingers 102 have lateral motion with respect to the longitudinal axis of the blank conveyor 24 as well as longitudinal motion with respect to the blank B transported by conveyor 24, all to the end that the fingers 102 follow fold line 47 at all times during the gusset fold forming operation.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel with a fold line therein to hold the endmost article of an article group in position when said wrapper is formed about said group:

a. means for transporting an article group superimposed on a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein;

b. means for folding said wrapper blank about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means;

c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position;

d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally'with respect to said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transporting means during folding of said gusset panels of said wrapper blank.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a cam follower connected to said fold line contacting means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transporting means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said additional means includes a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stationary cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fold line contacting means includes means for pivotally mounting same on a cam follower, and wherein said stationary cam includes a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower laterally with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting meanswith respect to said cam follower.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.

8. ln apparatus for forming a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein to hold the endmost article of an article group in position when said wrapper is formed about said group:

a. means for transporting an article group superimposed on a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein;

b. means for folding said wrapper blank about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means;

c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position; said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to the direction of movement of said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transporting means during folding of said wrapper blank;

e. said additional means including a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means;

said fold line contacting means including means for pivotallymounting said fold line contacting means on a cam follower;

g. said stationary cam including a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.

10. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel with a fold line therein:

a. means for transporting an article group together with said wrapper; means for folding said wrapper about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means, including 0. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold'line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position;

. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means during folding of said gusset panels of said wrapper.

1 1. Apparatus according to claim 10 including a cam follower connected to said fold line contacting means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said additional means includes a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said stationary cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contactingmeans longitudinally with respect to said wrapper.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fold line contacting means includes means for pivotally mounting same on a cam follower, and wherein said stationary cam includes a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower laterally with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.

17. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel about an article group:

a. means for transporting an article group and said wrapper;

b. means for folding said wrapper about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means;

c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position;

d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to the direction of movement of said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means during folding of said wrapper;

e. said additional means including a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means; said fold line contacting means including means for pivotally mounting said fold line contacting means on said cam follower;

g. said stationary cam including a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.

18. Apparatus according to claim '8 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand. 

1. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel with a fold line therein to hold the endmost article of an article group in position when said wrapper is formed about said group: a. means for transporting an article group superimposed on a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein; b. means for folding said wrapper blank about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means; c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position; d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transporting means during folding of said gusset panels of said wrapper blank.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a cam follower connected to said fold line contacting means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transportiNg means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said additional means includes a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stationary cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fold line contacting means includes means for pivotally mounting same on a cam follower, and wherein said stationary cam includes a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower laterally with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.
 8. In apparatus for forming a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein to hold the endmost article of an article group in position when said wrapper is formed about said group: a. means for transporting an article group superimposed on a wrapper blank having a gusset panel with a fold line therein; b. means for folding said wrapper blank about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means; c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position; d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to the direction of movement of said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper blank and said transporting means during folding of said wrapper blank; e. said additional means including a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means; f. said fold line contacting means including means for pivotally mounting said fold line contacting means on a cam follower; g. said stationary cam including a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.
 10. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel with a fold line therein: a. means for transporting an article group together with said wrapper; b. means for folding said wrapper about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means, including c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position; d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means during folding of said gusset panels of said wrapper.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including a cam follower connected to said fold line contacting means.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said additional means includes a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movEment with respect to said transporting means.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said stationary cam includes first cam means for moving said fold line contacting means laterally with respect to said transporting means and second cam means for moving said fold line contacting means longitudinally with respect to said wrapper.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fold line contacting means includes means for pivotally mounting same on a cam follower, and wherein said stationary cam includes a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower laterally with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand.
 17. In apparatus for forming a wrapper having a gusset panel about an article group: a. means for transporting an article group and said wrapper; b. means for folding said wrapper about said group as said group is transported by said transporting means; c. additional means operable in timed relationship with said transporting means and said folding means for engaging the fold line only of said gusset panel at all times during folding of said gusset panel into position; d. said additional means including fold line contacting means movable laterally with respect to the direction of movement of said transporting means, and movable longitudinally with respect to said wrapper and said transporting means during folding of said wrapper; e. said additional means including a stationary cam and orbitally movable cam followers timed in movement with respect to said transporting means; f. said fold line contacting means including means for pivotally mounting said fold line contacting means on said cam follower; g. said stationary cam including a pair of stationary cam elements, one of said cam elements moving said cam follower with respect to said transporting means and said wrapper, and the other of said stationary cam elements pivoting said fold line contacting means with respect to said cam follower.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cam followers are mounted on an orbitally movable strand. 